The rain forests fulfill all the necessary conditions for numerous rare animal species to develop. It is home to a multitude of bird species with colourful plumage, and to more than 200 mammal species including the howler monkey, tapir, coatimundi, anteater, puma and the elusive jaguar.

For the Mayas, the jaguar was a god. "God decided to create mankind because the jaguar already existed" the Mayan legend says.

We enjoyed taking pictures of these hosts of the jungle, and of many reptiles, insects and butterflies. We hope you will enjoy looking at them…